How to organize an outside bar

Why venture out to a bar when you can have the party right on your doorstep? Following the rise of pandemic home improvements, outside bars are now a hit for those who love to entertain. 

If you’re planning on setting up an outdoor bar, make sure you tick off everything on this list.

Remember that bar care is year-round!

Not feeling brave enough to get your friends outdoors in the winter? We can’t blame you. But you still need to take care of your bar to make sure it gets through the winter, just like you.

Protect from the inevitable rain

First, if your bar is made from wood or organic materials, make sure you apply a waterproof varnish every six months. This will help to protect its strength and shine during damper weather.

Keep everything clean and dry

Next, we need to think about cleaning the bar. If you’re shutting down for winter, start by taking everything movable – think drinks, barware, and accessories – into the house or pack into plastic storage boxes. Next, dust down any furniture such as pillows or umbrellas. Clean off any cobwebs from roofs and covers. Wipe down all sinks, shelves, doors, drawers, and cabinets.

Stop mould

Finally, make sure you give the refrigerator a clean – the last thing you need is to discover mold when you re-open in summer.

Plan for the space you have

If it’s your first time erecting an outdoor bar, you need to be realistic with the space you have. For example, have you considered the height of the bar itself? This may affect which bar stools you use, or potentially limit your storage options.

Pay careful attention to the back bar. Often, people tend to overestimate the size and cram it full of spirits and other bottles. This will look cluttered and unwelcoming for your guests! Never position one bottle behind another as this creates a smash hazard. Rotate your items seasonally – for example, fruitier liqueurs in the summer.

Design around your guests

While you might want your bar to look great, you also need to remember its functionality. You can do both by positioning your props and tools appropriately.

Glasses

Start with glassware. Think about the drinks you’ll be making and put all popular choices within easy reach – if you’re planning to serve a lot of martinis, for example, make sure they’re easy to grab.

Ice on hand

What’s the next thing bartenders go for after serving a drink? Ice. Have the ice bucket positioned near your glasses, as well as garnish if required. (You can also add some garnish to the back bar wall – but this is for decorative purposes only.)

Stock up

Have a speed rail to keep all your drinks stocked up. This applies to mixers, too – have these ready in a chiller in the back bar. 

Prepare for spills

Once that’s all set up, make sure you have plenty of napkins or bar towels in the serving area. No matter how careful you (or your guests) are, spills are part of the fun.

Make a bar shopping list

You should make your bar shopping list once you’ve decided how much space you’ll have, as well as budgets and the overall functions of your bar. Consider the aesthetic – do you want solid wood bar stools or something more contemporary?

Remember all the accessories that you might not first have considered. This could be anything from a small knife to chop lemons, to storage boxes and hosepipe fittings for water sources. (Keep these shut off during the winter.)

A speed rack is a great addition. This should be out of the view of your guests, positioned around your knees. It should be stocked up with extras for the most popular drinks. If you’re feeling really clever, you might even organize the drinks in order of guest preference.

Think about storage

An outdoor bar is susceptible to the elements, as well as mildew and nature’s little visitors. If it’s portable, disassemble your bar and move it to the garage or to a place where you can guarantee there’ll be no moisture. Dry everything down before you pack up to prevent mildew.

You may need to add large plastic covers to your shopping list, depending on where your bar is stored. Make sure you’ve removed any critters taking up residence in the nooks and crannies of your bar. This could be a scary surprise come next summer.

Bottoms up!

With these tips, you can create an outdoor bar that looks the part and survives all weather conditions. Have your guests coming round time and again with perfectly organized and well-stocked bars. Happy hour is on!

Bedroom Hacks To Make The Most Of Your Space

If you live in a small house or flat, you are probably constantly looking for ways to make the most of your space. There are several things you can buy to improve storage space however, you may feel limited on what you can buy for your home. Here, we will discuss all the things you can do to make the most of the space in your home. 

Bed With Storage Underneath

If you lack wardrobe space, you will probably struggle with places to put your clothes. One of the best things you can buy to solve that issue is a bed with storage underneath. Try a bed with built-in drawers and a bed that can lift so you can access the storage. If buying a bed with underneath storage is difficult, buy a bed that is elevated off the ground so you can put boxes of clothes and other items underneath your bed. 

Consider A Murphy Bed

These are convenient for those who live in an apartment or a studio. A murphy bed in a cabinet or wardrobe so when you are done using it, you can put the bed away until you need to go to bed. These are a little expensive but trust me, they free up a lot of space in your bedroom if you need to. Moreover, these beds come in a variety of sizes so you shouldn't struggle with finding one that fits your home. 

Build A Custom Platform

If you believe you have the capabilities to build a custom platform bed then we highly recommend this. Furthermore, if you are building it yourself, you can decide on how many drawers and cabinets you have underneath your bed. There is nothing better than a DIY bed, especially when you were the person that built it. 

Get More Storage With Footboards

If you have enough space at the bottom of your bed, you should purchase a cabinet to store games, books or anything else you may want to store. You could even buy drawers so you can store bedding or clothes that don't require a hanger. 

Multi-Purpose Furniture

If you are limited with space in your bedroom, you probably want to try and avoid too much furniture. Nonetheless, there are many pieces of furniture out there that can be used for both. For example, if you need a desk in your bedroom, buy a desk that also has places to store clothes or books.

Use Wall Space For Storage

When you have a small room, you need to make the most of everything, including your walls. Shelving units on top of drawers or hanging off the wall are all great for making the most of your space. If you do live in a flat or rented home, you may want to ask your landlord first about drilling into the wall. The last thing you want is your landlord taking money off you because you have drilled a few holes into the wall. 

Buy A Clothing Rack

If you don't have any space for a wardrobe buy a clothing rack and place it in your living room or hallway. These are not that expensive and are great for hanging up your full tracksuits, t-shirts, shirts and anything else you can think of. If you can fit your clothing rack in your bedroom then even better. Just remember not to leave it in the kitchen or else your clothes will carry a food smell. 

To Conclude

As you can see, there are many ways you can make the most of your space in your home. Furthermore, you can get creative with your DIY skills and build additional storage units. Moreover, there are many things you can buy for you to make the most of your space. 

How to Create a Welcoming Home: Room by Room

When you walk through the front doors of your home, you want to feel like you belong there. There's nothing worse than feeling a sense of dread when you walk into your home. The same holds true for your family members, friends, and guests. Thankfully, there are many ways you can actively work on maintaining a welcoming home throughout each room of your home. Consider the following tips.

Cleanliness

Start by decluttering your home on a seasonal basis. Get rid of items that you're not using. Clear out corners that have piles of junk mail, clothing, and more. When your environment is decluttered, it's much easier to stay on top of the cleanliness factor. Work on cleaning certain things on specific days of the week. You can vacuum the floors every Tuesday and Friday. You can clean the toilets every Sunday and Thursday. Certain tasks like sweeping the kitchen floor and wiping down countertops will need daily maintenance. However, give your family assigned chores for different days of the week to avoid a messy home in disarray.

Comfort

Make sure your home feels comfortable in a number of ways. Be particular about the furniture you choose. Even if you're purchasing a couch from Facebook Marketplace, add some cushioning or stuffing inside in order to make sure it feels plush and comfortable. When you're picking out dining room furniture, choose options that leave guests feeling supported and comfortable. If the chair hurts a person's back, they're not going to want to sit at the table for too long.

Cuisine

It's always nice to have a stash of treats that are available for guests. If you love to bake banana bread each week or set up containers filled with pretzels, granola and chips, work on ways to always keep refreshments available. If you have a separate guest room, keep bottled water in that room. It's also nice to set up a small station that includes an electric kettle, prepackaged snacks, and mugs. Add a box of tea and instant coffee to the mix. If someone wants to grab a snack or enjoy a cup of coffee, they can do so without feeling like an inconvenience.

Creating a welcoming environment isn't rocket science. However, it does require effort and intentionality. When you can work on cultivating these four tips as regular habits, it'll become much easier to accept guests. When your home is always welcoming and ready for people to enter, you won't have to rush, panic and get ready on a whim.

Ways to Enhance Your Decor You Might Not Have Thought About

Your home is your personal sanctuary. Knowing this, it's nice when it can reflect your personal style, your interests, and more. This is why it's a great idea to spend time on your home decor. With a creative approach, you can enhance your decor in ways that will transform the way you feel about your home. Consider the following ways to change your decor that you might not have thought about.

Paint the Ceilings

When it's time to paint, most people think about painting a statement wall or they focus on the four walls of the home. However, the ceiling is a very viable option. Depending on the color you choose, a painted ceiling can offer a subtle or bold impact. Colors like black, navy blue, and brown lend a sense of sophistication. Colors like orange, magenta and yellow, create space for a sense of playfulness. If you don't want to do one color, consider the use of wallpaper for a different appeal.

Artwork and Memories

If you review sites like Pinterest, it's easy to come across a number of ways to hang artwork that can make for a great way to decorate your home. Gallery walls are especially popular with matte black frames if you want to share memories. 

In addition to traditionally framed photos and artwork, you can display artwork and photos with metal prints. Print out photos of your family vacations, special moments, or stunning artwork to add to the metal options. Metal printing, for example, can provide a unique and pleasantly unique design aspect of your decoration. When you hang these photos, add some good lighting to make sure they're easy to enjoy.

Update Old Furniture

Instead of throwing out that sturdy wooden bed, give it a facelift by adding a new fresh coat of wood stain. If you have a couch that's seen better days, consider getting it reupholstered. Customize the look of an old piece of furniture in order to make it look completely unique and original. When you invest in your pieces, it becomes more special because it tells a story.

Add Natural Elements

Never underestimate the power of natural light and indoor plants. Natural light does wonders for a person's mood. Indoor plants are effective for boosting one's mental health. Just by adding more of these elements to each room of your home, you can usher in a sense of vitality.

Before you even approach the decorating process, declutter first. By decluttering, you'll get a better understanding of what the various rooms need. Don't rush the process. As you gradually work on your decor process, it'll feel more organic, authentic, and artistic. When you incorporate these design tips, you'll elevate the look of your home in an incredibly special way.